Hi guys, i have just ordered a predator 60/70se and wanted to know what you guys really think about them.At present i own a sceadu 50 swm and a graupner 2000 H trainer so, i am hoping this will be the heli i have always wanted.I have flown a raptor 30 and was tempted to get the 60 version and i guess the main question is will i regret not getting the raptor 60 ?or will i be jumping out of my little cotton socks i bought the pred.I know i should have done more homework on replacement parts prices for the Pred but, i seen the promotional video of the Predator and was sold.If you guys can point me to some good sites about the predator i would appreciate it very much.Do i need to buy a bunch of upgrades to make this thing fly properly ? where can you get upgrades if a want to buy them ?and lastly what are the prices like for the odd bump back to mother earth .
Roy Graham
P.S. what servos would you guys recomend for the predator.

Roy,

I've owned an flown a Raptor 60 and now I have a Predator SE. I've been flying it for about three months and maybe four or five gallons of fuel. There is no way I would trade for a Raptor, or any other heli. I have only one upgrade, the new cross shaft with the ball in the center which improves cyclic response. I am considering installing longer tail rotor blades and some 3D tail fins. Other than that, it's stock with an OS .61, and I have had NO maintainance issues to date.

The predator is the smoothest yet most responsive helicopter I've ever owned and I've been flying RC helis since '85. You've made a good choice and I'm shure you won't be disappointed.

The government cannot give you anything without first taking it from someone else.

It is fantastic

Parts cost is very reasonable. But the best pert is you dont have to throw bucks at it in aftermarket stuff.

Out of the box it flies terrific. Follow the set up tips the reps posted on this site no need to go anywhere else for set up tips it is all in the building with this heli. I built too quick ant it was too tame.It flew solid and smooth but I lacked response. I followed the reps advice and she is a rock and roll machine now ! No bucks added .
The instructions are trickey to be nice. It will be worth it ! I think and step that was trickey is posted here on how to do it correctly.

I have 9252 servos and would keep along those lines Hitec ,Jr they all seem very good now adays. I would not venture from those three myself.

The ball spindle was stock in my new kit.

There is currently no equal in value to flight quality.

I think you will be quite pleased with your purchase and welcome to the group.

Thanks guys

Thanks guys, it sounds like a great heli.I was and am very tired of throwing money at my sceadu to improve its flying and as i am sure you all know hirobo has refined the sceadu as an evo.Dont get me wrong the sceadu is a great little heli but, the fact is hirobo knew it needed something done to make it better and i am just not willing to buy "another sceadu version" .It really sounds like the predator is a great heli,i have been looking at the pics on the website and it looks so well made and expensive though its not expensive at all (i think).Well i just cant wait for that box to appear at my door and yes for a man of 42 years i still have not grown up (hopefully never will) its just too much fun and such a short time to enjoy it.
Many Thanks.Roy

Welcome Home, Roy......

You'll be leaving those socks at home.......and the crash costs ARE nice in comparison. The SE is really set up with the goodies when you open the box. A couple of hours reading posts here on Runryder will help you with potential building issues and clarifacations of instructions. If you have a question, do a search on the board....odds are it has been discussed before. If not, or still more Q&A is needed, there are SEVERAL good folks.....reps and owners......here to help. Plan on a couple of sleepless nights getting it together, cause you won't want to stop once you get it started. I like the YS 61 myself, although the OS 61 is just as well suited to the application. I second the opinion of 9252's.....that would be my first choice. Maybe 8311's......but a good power digital for sure. Enjoy, and welcome to the family.

James

GOOD guy list-39, BAD guy list-0

SkidDo,

Congrats on your purchase! I have three Predators and they all fly great and required no upgrades to make them perform well. I have over 100 flights on my first Predator and have not had to replace anything due to wear and tear except for a few grommets. If you need help during the building process be sure to check some of the older post and also let us know what you think once you get a few flights on her.

One sweeeet looking/flying machine!!

Thanks, Flyboy

SkidDo,

Your going to love it. The predator tracks like it's on rails, even with the light paddles on it. No upgrades needed on this one either, its great right out of the box.

As for crash cost, they are lower than some of the other big helis, but don't get the impression that they are anything like the cost of a 30 or 50 sized plastic machine. You can crash a Falcon really hard for about $200. If you mess up and put the Predator in hard (not that I would know anything about that ), you are going to have about $200 just in the blades and canopy. That is just the cost of flying high end equipment. The other parts (boom, grips, main shaft, spindle, etc..) are very reasonably priced and thats where you will see the big savings over the others.

heli compulsion

Im sorry mate but, the Predator is on its way and if i like the beast i just might get another .So get your orders in fast guys.I`m very happy to hear about the tracking as my sceadu never stays in track for too long its just something i had to get used to and boy its a pain.Thanks for all the help,funny comments and encouragement but, you still have`nt told me what is "the darkside" Roy
P.S. you got to love those canopies !

The "Dark Side" term came about due to the fact that the owners of other manufacturers helis came in and bad mouthed the Century line of helis and a couple regulars here on RR did some funny posts with a Starwars theme and we all became Proud members of THE DARK SIDE

Since most feel that if you fly Century that you are a part of a minority a black sheep so to speak !!!! So like in Star Wars Darth Vader and only a few others are part of the dark side and that makes them a big minority but it dosent mean that they arnt a very powerfull force to be dealt with !!!!

So keep the Dark Side a secret and dont let these Nay sayers in on our Dark Side secrets and we will sit back and laugh when we out perform them in all areas except money spent !!!!

Thanks Maxx

Well Maxx, im very glad to be part of a minority and thanks a lot for the explanation.This predator video i watched sold me right away and the build of the heli looks awesome without a hefty price tag.
Roy
P.S. boy o boy that was a nasty thread on the link you posted.I own a sceadu 50 and like i mentioned above you need to throw the $$ at it but, i never expected it to be perfect and it was`nt so i did`nt feel let down by hxrxbx too much.